Sanju Samson would have hoped for a much better start to his 2023 in India colors than the 5 runs off 6 balls he managed – after also getting a reprieve by a dropped catch – in the first T20I against Sri Lanka on Tuesday at the Wankhede.
Samson had had an impressive 2022 in T20Is – in 5 innings last year vs Ireland, West Indies, and Sri Lanka, Samson had scored 179 runs at an average of 44 and strike rate of 158 – and now with the senior trio of Rohit, Kohli, Pant and KL Rahul unlikely to play much in T20Is this year, he has gotten the opportunity to make a place in the T20I side, and stave off competition from other fringe batters.
However, the start of this series for Samson was ugly. Sri Lanka captain Dasun Shanaka won the toss and elected to field first, citing the dew was a key factor driving his decision. Samson came in at 38/2 and attempted two sixes to Dhananjaya de Silva in his first 6 balls.
While he got a life on his first mishit, Asalanka dropping a tough catch at deep mid-wicket, Samson gave another chance, a much easier one just two balls after his first one, which was taken comfortably by Madushanka.
Samson didn’t had it in him to even look at the crowd while walking back as his head remained down, and the fans left disappointed by the Rajasthan Royals skipper, leaving India at 46/3 inside the 7th over.
Fans trolled Sanju Samson heavily on Twitter following his low score in the first T20I:
Dravid to Sanju Samson after he keeps wasting his chances pic.twitter.com/8TzAefe8ei
— ಭಲೇ ಬಸವ (@Basavachethanah) January 3, 2023
Stop hyping sanju samson every other time. There are many deserving players who aren’t selected in the squad. I havent seen sanju samson properly utilizing opportunities provided to him. he is a good player without a doubt but there are many better players than him.
— Balibaadhi balihabi (@Balibaadhi23) January 3, 2023
Sanju deserves at least 50 more matches. He will surely score 4 half centuries against Namibia and Netherlands.
— …..😎😎😎😎……… (@chhotachhatri41) January 3, 2023
— cric freak (@cricfreak1718) January 3, 2023
There’s a reason they don’t play him in the Indian team…
— Aniket Bose (@ABnormalConnect) January 3, 2023
This guy has one of the greatest PR teams for someone who has mediocre numbers in ranji and list A.
— Troll cricket unlimitedd (@TUnlimitedd) January 3, 2023
Such a waste of opportunity. Shreyas better than him
— Tejas Adake (@tejas_adake) January 3, 2023
Teams:
Sri Lanka (Playing XI): Pathum Nissanka, Kusal Mendis(w), Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Dasun Shanaka(c), Wanindu Hasaranga, Chamika Karunaratne, Maheesh Theekshana, Kasun Rajitha, Dilshan Madushanka
India (Playing XI): Ishan Kishan(w), Shubman Gill, Suryakumar Yadav, Sanju Samson, Hardik Pandya(c), Deepak Hooda, Axar Patel, Harshal Patel, Shivam Mavi, Umran Malik, Yuzvendra Chahal
